Green Book: A road movie from New York to the American South
Green Book tells the unlikely encounter between a racist nightclub bouncer and a renowned Black pianist during the era of racial segregation in the American South. Explosive!
The Story of Green Book
- Released in 2018, Green Book is based on a true story. The film follows two men—Tony Vallelonga and pianist Don Shirley—as they travel across 1960s America, despite their stark differences.
- Tony Vallelonga is an Italian-American from New York who scrapes by with odd jobs to support his family in the Bronx. At the moment, this tough guy—nicknamed “Tony Lip”—works as a bouncer at the Copacabana Club, a trendy nightclub.
- When the Copacabana Club closes for renovations, Tony needs work. He’s offered a job as a driver for Don Shirley, a virtuoso Black pianist, on a tour through the Deep South. Their first meeting is tense, but Don agrees to hire Tony. What happens when a crude, racist tough guy and a refined Black musician are forced to travel together?
- The “Green Book” was a travel guide for African Americans driving through the American South. It listed establishments that welcomed Black customers, allowing travelers to “travel without embarrassment.” Green Book exposes the racial segregation of the 1960s and highlights a dark chapter in American history.
- Tony Vallelonga is brilliantly played by Viggo Mortensen, who portrayed Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings. Don Shirley is brought to life by Mahershala Ali, known for playing Boggs in The Hunger Games. Directed by Peter Farrelly, Green Book won the Academy Award for Best Picture in 2019.
New York in Green Book
- Green Book opens and closes in New York. Don Shirley lives in a luxurious apartment directly above Carnegie Hall, one of New York’s most prestigious concert venues. The address: 881 7th Avenue. In the film, Tony is given this address without being told it’s Carnegie Hall.
- Most of the film was actually shot in New Orleans, not New York. The restaurant where Tony wins his bet is the Clover Grill in the French Quarter. The Copacabana Club does exist in New York, but surprisingly, no scenes were filmed there. The exterior shown in the movie is actually the International House Hotel on Camp Street in New Orleans. Interior scenes were shot at the Carver Theater, also in New Orleans.
- Through the magic of cinema, the vibrant atmosphere of Little Italy in the Bronx is beautifully recreated. Green Book might just inspire you to visit this Italian neighborhood when you’re in New York.
The Green Book Trailer
The Movie Poster
The Green Book poster.
What Did You Think of This Film?
Did you enjoy Green Book? What’s your favorite scene? Share your thoughts in the comments below!